(*NEW ARRIVAL*) (Babylonian) Chaldean American Ladies of Charity. Ma Baseema: Middle Eastern Cooking With Chaldean Flair

Illus. with photographs. 10x9, jacket. Ann Arbor: Huron River Press, 2010.

The Chaldeans were a Semitic-speaking tribe that lived in Mesopotamia for around 230 years. They were known for their witchcraft and astrology, and were considered the "little sister" to Assyria and Babylonia. Somehow, a number of them wound up in Michigan, from whence this cookbook comes.

Many of the Chaldean signature dishes found in this cook have been handed down unchanged for generations. And while the cuisine of other cultures and countries may have aspects of a regional character, Chaldean food defies any regional distinctions. . Different families or villages may lay claim to scrumptious variations of specific specialties, but the underlying ingredients and recipes as well as styles of cooking are common to all Chaldeans.

The Chaldean people are passionate about their food and enjoy spending time preparing, cooking and eating with family and friends. Presenting a meal to guests is import to Chaldean people and we always strive to entertain warmly and joyously to everyone in our home. Great effort is made in ensuring that our guests are comfortable and enjoying their meal. Hospitality is highly valued, whether a person is a dear friend or merely an acquaintance, whether formally invited or spontaneously dropped by. Meals are more often a festive, casual experience than a formal one. If you are a host, remember to say fathalo, which means do me the honor, when you invite the guests to come to the table. Awafi! (Bon Appetite!). Enjoy yourself, excite your senses, and do it in good health.

Near fine.